Vapor Delivery Device

ABSTRACT

A vapor delivery device for the delivery of a dose of vaporizable material includes a detachable dose cartridge having an oven. The oven is configured to contain a vaporizable material and at least oven vent configured to allow the flow of the vapor to a delivery port. The oven may be detachably attached to the dose cartridge. A detachable dose cartridge or oven may be sealed and have a dose of vaporizable material that is inaccessible inside. The vapor delivery device may accommodate organic, resin, prepackaged or liquid vaporizable materials. The oven vent or vents are configured to be either blocked or covered to substantially eliminate vapor escaping from the oven chamber. An oven chamber or oven closure, may be configured to rotate to trap vapor within the oven. In another embodiment, an oven is configured with a plunger that traps vapor within the oven.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of PCT application noUS2016/012006 having an international filing date of Jan. 2, 2016, andis a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/588,932, filed on Jan. 3, 2015 and currently pending, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/923,611, filedon Jan. 3, 2014, and this application claims the benefit of U.S.provisional patent application No. 62/187,111, filed on Jun. 30, 2015,all of which are entitled Vapor Deliver Device and wherein the entiretyof each is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device configured to provide a doseof vapor by heating a vaporizable material.

2. Background

Vaporizers used to produce a vapor for medicinal purposes are becomingmore common as vaporizing materials significantly reduce the amount ofcarcinogenic smoke that is produced through conventional burningmethods. A number of portable vaporizers are available, however they allhave significant drawbacks. Most vaporizers, are configured to onlyaccept a certain type of vaporizable material, such as organic materialor resin, but not liquids. The receptacle for receiving vaporizablematerials is typically much larger than what is required for a dose ofvaporizable material. Therefore, vaporizers do not efficiently heat thevaporizable material, as there is a large volume of empty space aroundthe vaporizable material that consumes heat. This inefficient heating ofthe vaporizable material requires longer heating time to produce a doseof vapor. A user may sometimes have to wait as long as five minutesbefore a dose is ready. In addition, inefficient heating causesvaporizers to utilize a significant amount of power to, heat thevaporizable material and therefore the battery life is quicklydiminished. In addition, medicinal vaporizable doses having a specificsize and geometry and in some cases being tamper proof, may become moreprevalent. Current vaporizers are not configured to accept andefficiently vaporize these prepackaged doses. Vaporizers contain aheating element that is configured within the device and therefore maynot be in as close proximity to the vaporizable material as possible.

There exists a need for a vaporizing device that can accept all types ofvaporizable material, more effectively and efficiently heats thevaporizable material and is configured to accept a prepackaged dose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a vapor delivery device for the delivery ofa dose of vaporizable material. The vapor delivery device comprises adetachable dose cartridge that comprises an oven configured to contain avaporizable material and air flow vents to allow flow of the vapor to adelivery port. In an exemplary embodiment, the oven comprises a heatingelement that draws power from heating element contact on the detachabledose cartridge. A user can load a vaporizable, material into the ovenchamber and attach the detachable dose cartridge to the cartridge port.The user can then start the heating process and when a vapor isproduced, the user can open the one oven vent and receive a dose ofvapor through the delivery port. In an exemplary embodiment, a user canset a heating temperature, such as high, medium or low, and when thevaporizable material has been exposed to an effective temperature for aneffective amount of time, a ready indicator light may turn on, or flashto indicate that the dose is ready. The user may then turn the oven toalign the oven vents with inlet and outlet airflow conduits and receivethe dose.

A vapor delivery device comprises a controller that controls thefunctions of the device including, but not limited to, deliveringelectrical power from a power supply to a heating element, and receivingtemperature feedback from a temperature sensor and controlling the readyindicator. A controller may be a microprocessor or a control circuit,for example. As described, a vapor delivery device may comprise a heatselector to select a general range of temperature, high, medium or low,for example, or an actual temperature. In another embodiment, a materialtype selector may allow a user to select what type of material is beinginserted into the oven, including an organic material, a resin, a liquida fluid, or a prepackaged dose, for example. These different types ofvaporizable materials may require different temperatures and/ordurations of heating to produce an effective dose.

A vaporizable material may be any suitable type of material that can bevaporized to produce a dose of vapor for a user. In an exemplaryembodiment, the vaporizable material comprises a vaporizable medicantsuch as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), nicotine andthe like. Cannabis and other materials may be vaporized in an organicform, as a concentrated resin or liquid, or in a prepackaged form. Aprepackaged vaporizable material may be configured in a geometric shapeconducive for placement in the oven, as described herein, and heated.For example, a prepackaged vaporizable material may be provided in athin disc or puck shape that slides down into a cylindrical ovenchamber. The thin puck may be quickly and efficiently heated by aheating element configured to deliver heat through the bottom of theoven chamber, for example. In another embodiment, a prepackagedvaporizable material comprises an automatic cover to a container ofvaporizable material that is thermally degraded or melts to expose thevaporizable material when placed in an oven and heated.

A prepackaged vaporizable material may comprise a fluid container forcontaining a vaporizable fluid. The fluid container may comprise a fluidsponge having a porous structure that retains the fluid and allows thefluid to vaporize from the high surface area sponge materialefficiently. A fluid reservoir may be fluid sponge that is configuredwith packaging that prevents the fluid from evaporating therefrom untiluse. A user may remove the packaging, such as foil, and place the fluidsponge into the vaporizer, such as into the oven or within a cartridgewherein the fluid sponge is heated to vaporize the fluid. In anotherembodiment, a fluid is contained within a reservoir that seals in thefluid and has closure that can be removed prior to insertion into thevaporizer, such as a peel off tab, lid and the like. In still anotherembodiment, a fluid reservoir has an automatic closure thatautomatically opens to allow flow of vaporized material from within thecontainer when heated, such a polymer or wax that melts and to expose anopening into the fluid reservoir.

In an exemplary embodiment a vaporizable material comprises vitaminsincluding but not limited to, vitamin A or retinol, B1 or thiamine, B2or riboflavin, B3 or niacin, B5 or pantothenic acid, B6, B9 or folicacid, B12 or cyanocobalamin, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, Vitamin Hor biotin and vitamin K. In addition, any suitable combination ofvitamins or supplements may be configured vaporized.

A ready indicator may be a light that illuminates a first color when thevaporizable material is being heated and then changes color when thedose is ready, such as from red to green in color. In anotherembodiment, the ready indicator may illuminate when the vaporizablematerial is being heated and then flash when the dose is ready.

A temperature sensor may be configured to measure the temperature of theinterior of the oven, the exterior of the oven or any other suitablepart of the vapor delivery device or detachable cartridge that willcorrelate with an effective temperature of the vaporizable material. Thetemperature sensor may be coupled to the detachable cartridge or be partof the vapor delivery device body.

In an exemplary embodiment, electrical power is transferred from thepower supply to the heating element through power supply contacts thatelectrically couple with heating element contacts. These contacts may besimply electrically conductive contact points or may comprise pins,plugs, sockets and the like. A power supply may be a battery orbatteries configured in the vapor delivery device body or detachablecartridge, for example, or it may be a plug in power supply. A vapordelivery device may comprise a detachable electrical cord that may alsobe used to charge rechargeable batteries through a charging port. Inanother embodiment, a vapor delivery device comprises an electricalpower cord and a separate charging port.

A heating element may be configured on the detachable cartridge, on theoven or on the vapor delivery device body. In an exemplary embodiment,the heating element is configured in the base of the oven, whereby it isin close proximity to the vaporizable material within the oven. Inanother embodiment, the heating element is configured within a portionof the interior surface of the oven, whereby it makes direct contactwith the vaporizable material. In yet another embodiment, a heatingelement is configured on the detachable cartridge and a detachable ovenis configured to couple with the heater when it is inserted into thedetachable cartridge. Any suitable configuration or combination ofconfigurations of the heater may be used. A vapor delivery device maycomprise one, two, three or more heating elements.

A heating element may be a traditional resistive wire heater, heatercartridge or a flexible heating element. A flexible heating elementcomprises a resistive wire or film within a high temperature polymercover, such as polyimide. When the heating element is located in closeproximity, the temperatures achieved by a flexible heating element maybe effective to produce a dose of vapor.

A detachable dose cartridge is configured to be coupled with a cartridgeport. A detachable dose cartridge may be configured to slide into acartridge port aperture, or snap into a cartridge port of the vapordelivery device. Any suitable way of coupling the charging port to thevapor delivery device body may be utilized. A detachable dose cartridgecomprises inlet and outlet airflow conduits that are configured to alignwith one or more oven vents. In addition, the outlet airflow conduit isconfigured to align with a vapor conduit that leads to the deliveryport. The term align, as used herein in reference to airflow vents andconduits, means that they align to allow vapor and/or airflow to passfrom one to another. A delivery port may be configured with a mouthpieceand this mouthpiece may be configured to rotate into and away from thevapor delivery device body, pull out from the vapor delivery devicebody, and the like. A detachable dose cartridge may be any suitableshape including rectangular, round, polygonal, square, and the like.

An oven, as described herein, comprises at least one oven vent to allowthe release of the vapor from the oven chamber, or interior of the oven.In an exemplary embodiment, an oven comprises a first oven vent that isconfigured to align with the inlet airflow conduit and a second ovenvent configured to align with an outlet airflow conduit. Thisconfiguration allows for a cross-flow through the oven chamber to drawthe vapor from the oven and air from outside of the vapor deliverydevice. An oven may comprise an oven closure that is configured to sealan oven access opening. An oven closure may be a lid that can be placedover the top of the oven and this lid may be hinged or otherwiseattached. In another embodiment, the oven closure is detachable from theoven. An oven closure may comprise an oven closure lever that allows theoven to be spun or rotated within the detachable dose cartridge. Theoven may be rotated to seal off the oven vents from the airflow conduitsduring a heating cycle and then rotated to align the oven vents with theairflow conduits when the heating cycle is complete, thereby allowingfor the dispensing of the vapor dose. An oven closer lever may rotatethe oven closure, or may be configured to spin the entire oven. In oneembodiment, an oven closure lever is coupled to an oven closure havingan oven closure vent opening(s) and rotation of the oven closure withinthe oven can align or misalign the oven closure vent opening(s) with theoven vent(s). In effect, the oven closure, or lid, may act as a damperto the oven vents. This type of oven closure may comprise an ovenclosure lever and a tab that is configured to facilitate alignment ofthe oven closure with the proper positions within the oven. The oven maycomprise a tab receiver and labels to further facilitate proper functionof the oven closure damper process.

An oven may comprise an oven lever or damper lever that extends from anyportion of the oven to allow for rotation of the oven within thedetachable dose cartridge, or rotation of a damper, respectively. Anoven lever may extend from the top of the oven, where it may be exposed,or from the side of the oven. A detachable dose cartridge may comprise amanipulator slot that is configured to allow access to an oven leverand/or damper lever.

An oven may comprise a plunger, whereby the plunger may be inserted atleast partially into the oven interior. A plunger may be configured tobe inserted all the way down into the oven to compress or lay on avaporizable material. This configuration may increase heating efficiencyof the vaporizable material, by reducing empty air volume within theinterior of the oven chamber. The vapor volume of an oven chamber may beadjustable by adjusting the position of the plunger within the over,wherein when the plunger is pushed down against or close to thevaporizable material, the vapor volume of the interior volume of theoven is less than when the plunger is in a more retracted position fromthe vaporizable material. A plunger may act as an oven closure and mayalso prevent the release of vapor from the oven vents. A plunger may beconfigured to be inserted down past the oven vent(s). A plunger may beremoved or released when the vaporizable material has been heated to aneffective temperature. A vapor may then quickly fill the interior of theoven and be delivered to a user through a deliver port. In anotherembodiment, an oven comprises a plunger and an oven vent damper, wherebyafter the plunger is released, the oven vent damper must be rotated toallow the vapor to be released. In this way, the vaporizable materialmay be heated, then a vapor may be formed and then this vapor may besubsequently released.

An oven vent cover or damper is any configuration that cause the ovenvent to not be exposed to the inlet and/or outlet airflow conduits. Anoven vent cover may be a portion of an oven closure that is spun toblock the oven vents, or it may be the oven being turned within ahousing within the detachable dose cartridge, whereby the oven vents arenot aligned with the airflow conduits, for example.

An oven may be configured as a sealed oven for a vaporizable materialdose, whereby the dose of vaporizable material cannot be removed fromthe oven chamber, except as a vapor upon heating. A sealed oven maycomprise a dose of vaporizable material that is attached to the oveninterior and one or more oven vents.

In an exemplary embodiment, a vapor delivery device comprises a vaporsensor that detects constituents, or components, of the vapor, such asTHC and/or CBD, and/or a vitamin. A vapor sensor may detect the presenceof a compound and/or the concentration of the compound. The vapor sensorcouple with a flow sensor may be used determine a dose, or quantity, ofa vapor compound that is inhaled. A vapor sensor may detect theconcentration of a particular constituent of the vapor and the flowsensor may determine the volume of vapor drawn from the vapor deliverydevice. Any suitable flow sensor may be used to determine flow includinga flow velocity sensor that is integrated with a timer. An exemplaryvapor deliver device may also comprise a short-range communicationdevice, such as Bluetooth, and information about the vapor constituentsmay be transmitted wirelessly to an electronic device, such a mobilephone or tablet computer, for example. A user may have an applicationsoftware downloaded to their mobile phone and utilize vapor constituentinformation, and/or dose information to track how various vaporconstituents alleviate alignments or pain.

A vapor sensor may be configured in any suitable location on the vapordeliver device and comprises a sensor element that is exposed to thevapor produced by the vapor delivery device. The sensor element may beconfigured in the oven, the cartridge, or the vapor conduit, such as theoutlet flow conduit. In another embodiment, a vapor deliver device isconfigured with a sensor receiving port, and a sensor or sensor elementmay be detachably attached to the vapor delivery device or cartridge.

A vapor sensor may be configured to detect a vitamin or supplement andthe concentration of said vitamin or supplement.

In an exemplary embodiment, an internal fluid reservoir comprises afluid that can be introduced into the cartridge wherein the vaporizablematerial is heated. A fluid reservoir may be detachable attachable tothe vapor deliver device and may be in cartridge that snaps, screws, orotherwise detachably attaches to the vapor deliver device. A fluid maybe a liquid such as water and may comprise a flavor component such asvegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, vanilla, fruit, floral flavors andthe like. In another embodiment, a fluid may comprise one or morevaporizable materials, such as a vaporizable medicant or drug, includingtetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), nicotine and the like. Adry vaporizable material may benefit from the addition of a fluid, asthis may produce steam or enhance the vapor from the dry vaporizablematerial to more fully extract constituents from the dry materialwithout it burning and provide a more pleasant vapor for inhalation. Avapor deliver device, as described herein, my automatically inject orotherwise provide a fluid from a fluid reservoir to a vaporizablematerial, such as by spraying a mist of fluid into the cartridge. Anysuitable means to deliver at least a portion of the fluid, such aliquid, to the vaporizable material or the vaporizable material area ofthe cartridge or oven may be used including, flow from the fluidreservoir, spraying, gas phase delivery through a fluid port and thelike. A fluid may be heated separately within the fluid cartridge andthen delivered as a gas into the cartridge or along with a vaporproduced by a vaporizable material to a mouthpiece or vapor conduit. Inan exemplary embodiment, a person may press a button or otherwiseactivate dispensing of a fluid from a fluid reservoir into thecartridge. For example, a person may inject a fluid when the vaporizablematerial is dry, or very dry and the user may control the amount offluid provided by how many times they press the button.

A fluid may be dispensed from a reservoir into the oven or into adetachable dose cartridge, as deathbed herein, and may be injected ontoa vaporizable material, such as tobacco or dry marijuana leaf material.In another embodiment, the fluid is dispensed from a fluid reservoirinto the oven or cartridge, not onto a dry vaporizable material, whereit is vaporized for delivering a dose. An oven area or cartridge maycomprise a fluid sponge material for receiving the dispensed fluid, suchas a porous ceramic, porous metal or screen, or foam like material thatwill soak up the dispensed fluid and provide a high surface area forvaporization therefrom.

The present invention provides a method of providing a dose of vaporfrom a vaporizable material comprising these steps: providing a vapordelivery device as described herein; placing a vaporizable material inan oven chamber; attaching the oven closure over the oven accessopening; rotating a closure lever to turn the oven to a vaporizeposition, wherein the oven vents are not aligned with the inlet oroutlet airflow conduits; activating the vapor delivery device to providepower to the heating element to heat and produce a vapor from thevaporizable material; rotating the oven closure lever to align the ovenvents with the inlet and outlet airflow conduits; and inhaling to drawin the vapor from the oven to provide a dose of vapor to a user. It isto be noted that any suitable means, as described herein, to misalignand effectively seal the interior volume of the oven chamber, may beused during the vaporization process in place of the method described inthe method above.

The summary of the invention is provided as a general introduction tosome of the embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to belimiting. Additional example embodiments including variations andalternative configurations of the invention are provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to, provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a top down view of an exempla vapor delivery device havinga cartridge port configured to receive a detachable cartridge.

FIG. 2 shows a top down view of an exemplary vapor delivery devicehaving a manipulator slot, a heat selector and a ready indicator.

FIG. 3 shows a top down view of an exemplary detachable cartridge havinga detachable oven closure.

FIG. 4A shows a top down view of an exemplary detachable cartridgehaving an oven with an oven lever turned to prevent vapor produced inthe interior of the oven from passing into the inlet and outlet airflowconduits.

FIG. 4B shows a top down view of an exemplary detachable cartridgehaving an oven with an oven lever turned to align the oven vent with theinlet and outlet airflow conduits, thereby allowing the vapor to bedelivered to a user.

FIG. 5A shows an isometric view of an exemplary oven having first andsecond oven vents and a hinged oven closure.

FIG. 5B shows a top-down view of the exemplary oven shown in FIG. 5Awith the oven closure in a down position over the oven access opening,wherein the oven closure comprises an oven lever that can be used toturn the oven within a detachable cartridge to align the oven vents withinlet and outlet airflow conduits.

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of an exemplary oven having first andsecond oven vents, a hinged oven closure and an oven lever extendingfrom the exterior surface of the oven.

FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of an exemplary oven having first andsecond oven vents, a hinged oven closure, an oven vent damper configuredon the interior surface of the oven and a damper manipulator extendingout from the exterior of the oven through a slot within the oven wall.

FIG. 8A shows an isometric view of an exemplary oven having a flexibleheating element configured in the interior bottom of the oven, and anelectrical coupling on the exterior surface of the oven.

FIG. 8B shows a top-down view of the exemplary oven shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary oven having aplunger pressed down against vaporizable material.

FIG. 9B shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary oven having aplunger in an up position after the vaporizable material has been heatedto produce a vapor and the vapor exiting the oven through the oven vent.

FIG. 10 shows a top-down isometric view of an exemplary detachablecartridge with a plunger type oven closure and a plunger release button.

FIG. 11A shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary oven having anoven closure that is configured with a tab in a vaporize (Vap) positionwhereby the oven closure vent openings are not aligned with the ovenvents.

FIG. 11B show a top-down view of the exemplary oven shown in FIG. 11Awith the oven closure tab in a Vap position.

FIG. 12A show a cross-sectional view of an exemplary oven having an ovenclosure that is configured with a tab for locating the closure in doseposition whereby the oven closure vent openings are aligned with theoven vents and vapor is exiting the oven through the oven vent.

FIG. 12B show a top-down view of the exemplary oven shown in FIG. 12Awith the oven closure tab in a dose position.

FIG. 13 shows an isometric view of an exemplary oven closure having alocating tab and two oven closure vent openings.

FIG. 14 shows an isometric view of an exemplary oven having an ovenclosure configured with an oven lever.

FIG. 15 shows an isometric view of an exemplary oven having a flexibleheating element configured around the exterior of the oven.

FIG. 16 shows an isometric view of an exemplary heating element.

FIG. 17 shows a top view of an exemplary blister pack containing nineprepackaged doses.

FIG. 18 shows a top down view of an exemplary vapor delivery devicehaving a vapor sensor having a sensor element in communication with thevapor conduit and a short-range communication device.

FIG. 19A shows a top down view of an exemplary detachable cartridgehaving a vapor sensor receiving port.

FIG. 19B shows an outlet end view of the detachable cartridge shown inFIG. 19A with a sensor element in communication with the vapor conduit.

FIG. 20 shows an exemplary vapor delivery device comprising a vaporsensor, a flow sensor and a short-range communication device.

FIG. 21 shows a top down view of an exemplary vapor delivery devicehaving a cartridge inserted into the vapor delivery device through thecartridge port and a fluid reservoir configured within the cartridge.

FIG. 22 shows an exemplary vaporizable material configured in aprepackage dose having an automatic closure.

FIG. 23 shows an exemplary vaporizable fluid material configured in aprepackage dose comprising a fluid sponge and a detachable foil closure.

FIG. 24 shows a perspective side view of an exemplary vapor deliverydevice comprising a combined detachable cartridge, comprising adetachable oven and a fluid reservoir.

FIG. 25 shows a bottom view of the exemplary vapor deliver device shownin FIG. 24.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent anillustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some featuresmay be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentinvention.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to covet a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Also, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describeelements and components described herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention.This description should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are describedherein and are illustrated in the accompanying, figures. The embodimentsdescribed are only for purposes of illustrating the present inventionand should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications,combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occurto those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments,combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary vapor delivery device 10 comprises acartridge port 20 configured to receive a detachable cartridge 14. Thedetachable cartridge is configured to slide into the port, whereby theheating element contacts 66 couple with the power supply contacts 24.The detachable cartridge comprises an inlet airflow conduit 42 andoutlet airflow conduit 44 on either side of the oven 60. The oven isconfigured with vents 61, 61′ that are aligned with the inlet and outletairflow conduits as shown in FIG. 1. The outlet airflow conduit of thedetachable cartridge aligns with a vapor conduit 28 that delivers thevapor to a mouthpiece 27 type delivery port 26. The mouthpiece 27 isconfigured to pivot out from the vapor delivery device body 21 asindicated by the arced arrow. A temperature sensor 34 measures thetemperature or relative temperature of the heating element, and/or theoven or an oven surface, and when vaporizable material has been heatedto an effective temperature for an effective duration of time to producea vapor, the ready indicator 32 is activated. The ready indicator, asshown in FIG. 1 is a light that illuminates when a dose of vapor isready. In an exemplary embodiment, a heat selector enables, a user toset a high (H), medium (M), or low (L) heat set point. A controller 36,such as a microprocessor, controls the power supply to a heatingelement, receives input from the sensor and controls the readyindicator. A power supply 22, such as a rechargeable battery as shown isconfigured in the vapor delivery device body 21, but may be configuredin the detachable does cartridge. A charging port 25 may be used torecharge the batteries as needed. An on/off button 23 is configured toactivate the vapor delivery device. The vapor delivery device may have alonger battery life when the systems are deactivated when not requiredby hitting the off/button.

As, shown in FIG. 2, an exemplary vapor delivery device 10 has amanipulator slot 79, a heat selector 30 and a ready indicator 32. In oneembodiment, the manipulator slot is configured to receive an oven ordamper manipulator that is configured on the detachable cartridge. Inanother embodiment, a damper controller 31 is attached to a damper(s) 29that is configured on the vapor delivery device body 21. In thisembodiment, a damper controller is configured to either move the oven orto close at least one damper to the inlet or outlet airflow conduits.This damper 29 may be used to control the amount of airflow to and froman oven and the vaporizable material.

Also shown in FIG. 2, is a fluid reservoir 52 configured to hold afluid, comprising a flavor enhancing liquid and/or vaporizable medicant,and introduce the fluid, such as by injection, into the cartridge. Aport 54 may be configured between the fluid reservoir and the interiorof the cartridge to enable injection of said fluid. A fluid port 54,which may comprise a spray nozzle 55 is shown for introduction of thefluid into the cartridge 14 or oven 60. A person may add a fluid 57 intothe fluid reservoir 52, through the fill port 53. A fill port may have acover that can be removed for filling the fluid reservoir with a desiredfluid. A person may then press the fluid button 56 to activate theintroduction of the fluid into the cartridge or oven, including onto thevaporizable material. In an exemplary embodiment, a fluid within a fluidreservoir may be heated and fluid in gas form may be introduced into thecartridge for inhalation.

As shown in FIG. 3, an exemplary detachable cartridge 14 has adetachable oven closure 69, such as a lid. A user of the vapor deliverydevice may insert vaporizable material through the oven access opening50 into the oven interior 82 and then close the oven 60 with thedetachable oven closure 69. The oven comprises an interior volume 85.The interior volume may be any suitable size including, but not limitedto, about 25 mm³ or more, about 50 mm³ or more, about 100 mm³ or more,about 500 mm³ or more, about 1 cc or more, about 10 cc or more and anyrange between and including the volumes provided. The cartridge may thenbe placed into the vapor delivery device body (not shown) to heat thevaporizable material to produce a vapor. The inlet and outlet airflowchannels 42 and 44, respectively, are more clearly shown in FIG. 3. Theinlet and outlet airflow channels are aligned with the vents 61, 61′ ofthe oven 60. The bold arrows indicate the flow direction through thedetachable cartridge. A detachable dose cartridge may be configured tobe disposable, and may be sealed, whereby access to a dose ofvaporizable material is prevented.

As shown in FIG. 4A, an exemplary detachable cartridge 14 has an oven 60with an oven lever 70 turned to prevent vapor produced within the oveninterior 82, or the interior volume of the oven, from passing into theinlet and outlet airflow conduits 42, 44, respectively. The oven vent 61is shown being substantially 90 degrees out of alignment with the inletairflow channel 42. The oven closure 69 may be configured with a key orother mating portion 65 that locks the oven closure to the oven body 63.An oven closure may have a protrusion type mating portion that coupleswith a recess in the oven body, or vice versa. An oven closure lockedradially in place with the oven body can then be used, by rotation of aoven lever, to rotate the oven body.

As shown in FIG. 4B, an exemplary detachable cartridge 14 has an oven 60with an oven lever 70 turned to align the oven vents 61 with the inletand outlet airflow conduits 42, 44, thereby allowing the vapor to bedelivered to a user. A user would simply place the detachable cartridgeinto the cartridge port, turn the oven lever to the vaporize position,and when ready, turn the oven lever to the dose position, or a positionto align the oven vents with the airflow conduits, as shown in FIG. 4B.It is to be noted that the oven 60 may be detachable from the cartridge.For example, an oven may be coupled to the detachable cartridge and thecartridge may then be placed into the cartridge port.

As shown in FIG. 5A, an exemplary oven 60 has first and second ovenvents 61, 61′, respectively, and a hinged oven closure 69. The ovenshown is a detachable oven that may be removed and placed into adetachable cartridge. The hinged or otherwise attached oven closer 69may prevent loss of the oven closure and may firmly secure the ovenclosure to the oven body 63, whereby the oven closure can be used toturn or rotate the oven when inserted into a detachable cartridge. Aheating element 64 is configured in the base 83 of the oven 60. Theheating element has a heating element contact 66 on the base to couplewith a power supply contact configured with a detachable dose cartridgenot shown).

As shown in FIG. 56, the exemplary oven 60 shown in FIG. 5A comprises anoven closure 69 having an oven lever 70 that can be used to turn theoven within a detachable cartridge. Indicators, such as Vap and Dose maybe configured on the detachable cartridge to provide an indication ofthe proper orientation of the oven in the cartridge. An oven lever maybe used to partially align the oven vents with airflow conduits, therebyallowing for damping the airflow as desired.

As shown in FIG. 6, an exemplary oven 60 has first and second oven vents61, 61′, a hinged oven closure 69 and an oven lever 70 extending fromthe exterior, surface 84 of the oven. The oven lever may be configuredto slide through a manipulator slot 79, as shown in FIG. 2 when thedetachable dose cartridge, with the oven coupled thereto, is attached tothe cartridge port. A heating element 64 is configured in the base 83 ofthe oven.

As shown in FIG. 7, an exemplary oven 60 has first and second oven vents61, 61′, a hinged oven closure 69, and an oven vent damper 71 configuredon the interior surface 72 of the oven. A damper manipulator 73 extendsout from the exterior of the oven body 63 through a slot within the ovenwall. The oven vent damper has openings 81, 81′ that are aligned withthe oven vents 61, 61′. When the oven is in a vaporizing mode, thedamper manipulator can be slid along, the slot to rotate the vent damperto close off the oven vents. The vent damper openings 81, 81′ may bemoved out of alignment with the oven vents, thereby substantiallypreventing vapor produced within the oven from escaping through the ovenvents. It is to be understood that an oven vent damper may be configuredon the exterior of the oven 84, thereby eliminating the need for theslot through the oven wall.

As shown in FIG. 8A, an exemplary oven 60 has a flexible heating element88 configured in the interior bottom of the oven, and an electricalcoupling 67 on the exterior surface 84 of the oven. A heating elementmay be configured in any suitable location in, on, or around an oven,within a detachable cartridge, or as part of the vapor delivery devicebody. It is desirable to reduce heat loss and therefore configuring theheating element in close proximity, if not in contact with, thevaporizable material is preferred.

As shown in FIG. SB, the exemplary oven shown in FIG. 8A comprises aflexible heating element 68 in the bottom of the interior of the oven60. The vaporizable material will come in direct contact with theheating element in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9A, an exemplary oven 60 has a plunger 74 pressed downagainst vaporizable material 90, that is a resin 94. The plunger pressesthe resin 94 against the heating element 64 thereby reducing the vaporvolume 95 around the resin and reducing heat loss. The plunger isconfigured well below the oven vent 61. A plunger may be an oven closurethat is configured to be pressed down within the interior of the oven. Aplunger may be spring loaded or simply be weighted to remain downagainst the vaporizable material.

As shown in FIG. 9B, an exemplary oven 60 has a plunger 74 in an upposition, after the vaporizable material 90 has been heated to produce avapor 91. The vapor volume 95 is much larger than the vapor volume shownin FIG. 9A. The vapor is exiting the oven through the oven vent 61. Theliquid or fluid type 57 vaporizable material 90 produces a vapor withinthe oven interior 82.

As shown in FIG. 10, an exemplar)? detachable cartridge has a plungertype 74 oven closure 60 and a plunger release button 75. The plungerrelease button may be pressed when a ready indicator is activated. Theuser may press the plunger release button and the plunger may then beautomatically moved to a position to allow vapor to exit the interior ofthe oven. In another embodiment, a plunger is automatically released bya controller when an the vaporizable material has been heated to aneffective temperature for an effective amount of time.

As shown in FIG. 11A, an exemplary oven 60 has an oven closure 69 thatis configured with a tab 76 in a vaporize (Vap) position whereby theoven closure vent openings 78 are not aligned with the oven vents 61.The vapor 91 being produced by the organic material 92 type vaporizablematerial 90 is trapped within the oven enclosure, or oven interior 83.

As shown in the top-down view of the exemplary oven shown in FIG. 11A,as shown in FIG. 11B, the oven closure tab 76 is in a yap position. Theoven may have indicators, Vap and Dose for example, to show the correctorientation of the oven closure during the operation of the vapordelivery device. The oven closure lever 86 may be used to turn the ovenclosure. The oven closure lever may also be used to dampen the flow asdesired.

As shown in FIG. 12A, an exemplary oven 60 has an oven closure 69 thatis configured with a tab 76 in a dose position, whereby the oven closurevent openings 78 are aligned with the oven vents 61. This orientationallows the vapor 91 to exit the oven through the oven vent 61. Thevaporizable material 90 shown in FIG. 12A is a prepackaged dose 98, suchas a resin formed into a particular shape that is configured to fitwithin the oven interior. In another embodiment, a prepackaged dose 98may contain a covering 99 or enclosure that is configured to degrade,burn, break or otherwise be compromised when exposed to the vaporizingtemperatures with an oven, as described herein.

As shown in the top-down view of the exemplary oven of FIG. 12A, asshown in FIG. 12B, the oven closure tab 76 is in a dose position. Theoven closure has been turned, as indicated by the large arced arrow, toalign the oven closure vent openings with the oven vents.

As shown in FIG. 13, an exemplary oven closure 69 has an oven closuretab 76, two oven closure vent openings 78, 78′ and two vent closureportions 87 m 87′. The vent closure portions block the oven vents asshown in FIG. 11A. The oven closure vent openings are aligned with theoven vents as shown in FIG. 12A. It is to be noted that the damper ovenclosure 80 shown in FIGS. 11-13 may comprise a single vent closureportion and/or a single closure vent opening.

As shown in FIG. 14, an exemplary oven 60 has an oven closure 69configured with an oven closure lever 86. The oven closure lever may beconfigured to turn the oven, or only the oven closure within the oven.Any suitable combination of dampers or vent closures may be configuredto enable a user to open the oven vents by turning an oven closurelever. The oven 60 shown in FIG. 14 may be sealed to prevent access tothe vaporizable material contained within. The oven may be a disposabledose and a heating element may be contained within a detachable dosecartridge or the vapor delivery device body.

As shown in FIG. 15, an exemplary oven 60 has a flexible heating element68 configured around the exterior of the oven. It is to be noted that aflexible heating element, as shown in FIG. 15, may alternatively beconfigured on the inside of the oven.

As shown in FIG. 16, a flexible heating element 68 comprises a resistiveportion 88, such as a resistive wire, between high temperature polymeror non-electrically conducting and flexible layers 89, 89′. In anexemplary embodiment, the non-electrically conducting and flexiblelayers are a high temperature polymer such as polyimide, fluoropolymerand the like.

As, shown in FIG. 17, a blister pack 97 contains nine individualprepackaged doses 98 of vaporizable material. The prepackaged doses maybe configured to fit within an oven, as described herein.

As shown in FIG. 18, an exemplary vapor delivery device 10 has a vaporsensor 120 with having a sensor element 126 in communication with thevapor conduit 28 and a short-range communication device 130. Informationabout the contents and/or concentration of the vapor constituent may besent wirelessly by the short-range communication device to a remoteelectronic device, such as a mobile phone.

As shown in FIG. 19A, an exemplary detachable cartridge 14 has a vaporsensor receiving port 122 wherein a sensor or sensor element may becoupled with the cartridge. As shown in FIG. 19B, a sensor element 126is in communication with the vapor conduit 28. The sensor may be slidinto the vapor sensor receiving port as desired by the user to measurethe contents and/or concentration of the vapor constituents.

As shown in FIG. 20, an exemplary vapor delivery device 12 comprises avapor sensor 120, a flow sensor 140 and a short-range communicationdevice 130. The flow sensor is configured at least partially within, theflow conduit to measure the velocity of the flow through the conduit,for example. The vapor sensor may provide information to the short-rangcommunication device 30 for transmission to a remote electronic device.

As shown in FIG. 21, an exemplary vapor delivery device has cartridge 14inserted into the vapor delivery device through the cartridge port 20and a fluid reservoir 52 configured within the cartridge. A spray nozzle55 is configured to dispense a fluid 57 contained within the fluidreservoir 52 into the cartridge's vaporizable material area 45, where itmay contact the vaporizable material 90 therein. A fluid button 56 maybe configured on the vapor delivery device 10 to enable a person toactivate the dispensing of fluid as desired. In the event that thevaporizable material is very dry, a person may dispense a fluid onto thevaporizable material before heating of the vaporizable material. A fluidbutton may also be configured on the cartridge. This flash stream system51, comprising the fluid reservoir 52 and means to dispense the fluidinto the oven or cartridge, such as the spay nozzle 55, enablescustomization of the vapor produced enables, more effective vaporizationof the vaporizable material by conditioning the vaporizable material toa desired moisture content before heating.

As shown in FIG. 22, a prepackage dose 98 of vaporizable material 90 maycomprise a container 96 having an interior volume and a containeropening 101 for release of vapor 91. An automatic covering 99 may beconfigured to seal the container opening until the prepackaged, dose isheated. The automatic cover 99 may be a plastic, material or wax thatmelts to expose the opening and allow the vapor 91 to be released intothe cartridge and/or into the vapor conduit. A prepackaged dose may beconfigured with a covering that is aligned with a vapor conduit wheninserted into the detachable dose cartridge, for example.

As shown in FIG. 23, a prepackaged dose 92 comprises a fluid sponge 200comprising a vaporizable fluid 97 therein. A covering 99, such as a foilis being removed from the prepackaged dose for insertion into thevaporizer or into the detachable dose cartridge.

Referring now to FIGS. 24 and 25, an exemplary vapor delivery device 10comprises a combined detachable cartridge 18, comprising a detachableoven 60 and a fluid reservoir 53. A detachable dose cartridge 14 may beincorporated into the oven and a fluid 57 may be sprayed into the ovenor into the detachable dose cartridge and vaporized. In an alternativeuse, a dry vaporizable material, such a marijuana, may be placed in theover portion of the combined detachable cartridge 18 and the fluid, suchas a fluid comprising CBD, may be sprayed onto the dry vaporizablematerial. The combined detachable cartridge 18 may comprise an ovenbutton 220 to initiate the heating of the oven and/or a fluid dispensebutton 221 that initiates the delivery of the fluid into the oven, suchas by spraying. The fluid reservoir may further detach from the combineddetachable cartridge. The fluid reservoir may be filled through a fillport that is exposed when the combined detachable cartridge is attachedto the vapor delivery device, or only when the combined detachablecartridge is detached from the vapor deliver device, or only when thefluid reservoir is detached from the combined detachable cartridge. Asshown in FIG. 25, the fill port 53 is configured in the top of the fluidreservoir which is only exposed when the fluid reservoir is detachedfrom the <combined detachable cartridge, or alternatively when thecombined detachable cartridge is detached from the vapor deliverydevice. The opening for receiving a dose of dry vaporizable material maybe configured similarly to the fluid fill port, whereby it is onlyexposed when the combined detachable cartridge is detached from thevapor delivery device.

DEFINITIONS

A sealed detachable dose cartridge, or oven, comprises a dose ofvaporizable material that is contained and inaccessible therein. Thedose cartridge or oven does not contain a substantial opening to allowaccess to the vaporizable material, such as a lid or detachable closure.A sealed oven may be provided with a set dose of vaporizable material. Asealed detachable does cartridge or oven may comprise a vent or vents toallow the release of vapor with a vapor delivery device however.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations and variations can be made in the presentinvention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may bemodified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intendedthat the present invention cover the modifications, combinations andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vapor delivery device for the delivery of adose of a vaporizable material, said vapor deliver device comprising: a.a detachable dose cartridge comprising; an oven having an interiorvolume configured to contain said vaporizable material, and comprising;at least one coven vent; a heating element; and a heating elementcontact that is coupled with said heating element; b. a cartridge portconfigured to receive said detachable dose cartridge; c. a power supply;d. power supply contacts configured to couple with said heating elementcontacts of said detachable dose cartridge; and e. a delivery portcoupled with a vapor conduit configured for a user to inhale said doseof a vapor produced from said vaporizable material; whereby when saiddetachable dose cartridge is inserted into said cartridge port, thepower supply contacts couple with said heating element contacts toenable the heating element to be heated by said power supply.
 2. Thevapor delivery device for the delivery of a dose of a vaporizablematerial of claim 1, further comprising a vapor sensor for measuring avaporized constituent.
 3. The vapor delivery device for the delivery ofa dose of a vaporizable material of claim 2, wherein the vaporizablematerial comprises tetrahydrocannabinol and wherein the vapor sensor isa tetrahydrocannabinol sensor.
 4. The vapor delivery device for thedelivery of a dose of a vaporizable material of claim 2, wherein thevaporizable material comprises a cannabidiol wherein the vapor sensor isa cannabidiol sensor.
 5. The vapor delivery device for the delivery of adose of a vaporizable material of claim 2, wherein the vaporizablematerial comprises a vitamin wherein the vapor sensor is a vitaminsensor.
 6. The vapor delivery device for the delivery of a dose of avaporizable material of claim 2, wherein the vapor sensor is detachablyattachable to the vapor delivery device.
 7. The vapor delivery devicefor the delivery of a dose of a vaporizable material of claim 1, whereinthe oven comprises an oven closure having an oven closure lever, wherebythe oven can be rotated by said oven closure lever to align the at leastone oven vent with one of the inlet or outlet airflow conduits.
 8. Thevapor delivery device for the delivery of a dose of a vaporizablematerial of claim 1, wherein the detachable dose cartridge is a sealedcartridge whereby the vaporizable material cannot be removed.
 9. Thevapor delivery device for the delivery of a dose of a vaporizablematerial of claim 8, wherein the detachable dose cartridge comprises anautomatic closure that opens when the detachable dose cartridge isheated.
 10. The vapor delivery device for the delivery of a dose of avaporizable material of claim 1, wherein the detachable dose cartridgecomprises an access cover, whereby said dose of vaporizable material canbe inserted into said dose cartridge.
 11. The vapor delivery device forthe delivery of a dose of a vaporizable material of claim 1, wherein thevaporizable material is a prepackaged dose.
 12. The vapor deliverydevice for the delivery of a dose of a vaporizable material of claim 1,wherein the vaporizable material is a sealed prepackaged unit.
 13. Thevapor delivery device for the delivery of a dose of a vaporizablematerial of claim 12, wherein the prepackaged unit comprises anautomatic closure.
 14. The vapor delivery device for the delivery of adose of a vaporizable material of claim 1, wherein the vaporizablematerial comprises a fluid.
 15. The vapor delivery device for thedelivery of a dose of a vaporizable material of claim 14, wherein thevaporizable material is configured in a fluid sponge.
 16. The vapordelivery device for the delivery of a dose of vaporizable material ofclaim 1, further comprising a flow sensor, wherein a quantity of avaporizable constituent is measured; wherein a vapor sensor detects theconcentration of a vaporized constituent and the flow sensor detects anamount of flow.
 17. A vapor delivery device for the delivery of a doseof a vaporizable material, said vapor deliver device comprising: a. adetachable dose cartridge comprising; an oven having an interior volumeconfigured to contain semi vaporizable material, and comprising; atleast one oven vent; a heating element; and a heating element contactthat is coupled with said heating element; b. a cartridge portconfigured to receive said detachable dose cartridge; c. a power supply;d. power supply contacts configured to couple with said heating elementcontacts of said detachable dose cartridge; and f. a fluid reservoirconfigured to receive a fluid and a means for dispensing at least aportion of said fluid into the detachable dose cartridge; g. a deliveryport coupled with a vapor conduit configured for a user to inhale saiddose of a vapor produced from said vaporizable material; whereby whensaid detachable dose cartridge is inserted into said cartridge port, thepower supply contacts couple with said heating element contacts toenable the heating element to be heated by said power supply.
 18. Thevapor delivery device for the delivery of a dose of vaporizable materialof claim 17, comprising a means for dispensing at least a portion of thefluid onto the vaporizable material within the detachable dose cartridge19. The vapor delivery device for the delivery of a dose of vaporizablematerial of claim 17, wherein the fluid comprises a vaporizablemedicant.
 20. The vapor delivery device for the delivery of a dose ofvaporizable material of claim 17, wherein the fluid comprises a flavorcomponent.
 21. The vapor delivery device for the delivery of a dose ofvaporizable material of claim 17, wherein the fluid reservoir is coupledto the detachable dose cartridge to form combined detachable cartridge.